About the Show

John Adams opera: Cleopatra, Antony, Caesar's war in Golden Age Hollywood.

Renowned American composer John Adams presents his latest opera, a brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare's timeless tale, making its debut at the Met.

Soprano Julia Bullock, following her first appearance in Adams' "El Niño" in 2024, takes on the role of Cleopatra, while bass-baritone Gerald Finley portrays Antony. Adams conducts his intricate score, complemented by director Elkhanah Pulitzer's innovative staging set in 1930s Hollywood, shifting the narrative of romance and political turmoil from ancient Rome. Tenor Paul Appleby embodies Caesar, engaged in conflict with Antony, and mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong portrays Octavia, Caesar's sister and Antony's spurned wife.

Critic Reviews (2)

"Everything works here except for the work itself. This flawed opera hopefully marks a transition to new experiments and new successes in the career of one of our most distinguished composers."
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“Even with vibrant, fiery performances... the adapted libretto cripples the opera in fundamental ways.”
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